AI Article Synopsis
- * Conducted in six European countries with 6,923 participants, the research used statistical methods to analyze the prevalence and factors related to reported abuse.
- * Findings revealed that 20% of pregnant women experienced lifetime abuse in healthcare, with a higher occurrence among women facing economic hardships, PTSD symptoms, and a lack of support; this abuse was linked to greater fear of childbirth, especially among first-time mothers.
Article Abstract
Objectives: To assess the prevalence and current suffering of experienced abuse in healthcare, to present the socio-demographic background for women with a history of abuse in healthcare and to assess the association between abuse in healthcare and selected obstetric characteristics.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Setting: Routine antenatal care in six European countries.
Population: In total 6923 pregnant women.
Methods: Cross-tabulation and Pearson's chi-square was used to study prevalence and characteristics for women reporting abuse in healthcare. Associations with selected obstetric factors were estimated using multiple logistic regression analysis.
Main Outcome Measures: Abuse in healthcare, fear of childbirth and preference for birth by cesarean section.
Results: One in five pregnant women attending routine antenatal care reported some lifetime abuse in healthcare. Prevalence varied significantly between the countries. Characteristics for women reporting abuse in healthcare included a significantly higher prevalence of other forms of abuse, economic hardship and negative life events as well as a lack of social support, symptoms of post-traumatic stress and depression. Among nulliparous women, abuse in healthcare was associated with fear of childbirth, adjusted odds ratio 2.25 (95% CI 1.23-4.12) for severe abuse in healthcare. For multiparous women only severe current suffering from abuse in healthcare was significantly associated with fear of childbirth, adjusted odds ratio 4.04 (95% CI 2.08-7.83). Current severe suffering from abuse in healthcare was significantly associated with the wish for cesarean section, and counselling for fear of childbirth for both nulli- and multiparous women.
Conclusion: Abuse in healthcare among women attending routine antenatal care is common and for women with severe current suffering from abuse in healthcare, this is associated with fear of childbirth and a wish for cesarean section.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aogs.12593 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!